EURONAVAL 2020 Will Be Digital
Faced with the new health regulations, GICAN and its subsidiary SOGENA are reorienting the 2020 edition of the EURONAVAL exhibition towards a fully digital format. From Oct 19-25, exhibitors, official delegations and visitors can now meet on the EURONAVAL-ONLINE platform.
GICAN’s Board of Directors had taken the courageous decision, necessary for the relaunch of naval activity, to maintain the 2020 edition of the EURONAVAL exhibition. The preparations, in conjunction with the French state services concerned and notably the prefecture, have so far made it possible to envisage a successful exhibition in strict compliance with health regulations.
GICAN’s Board of Directors has taken note of the announcements made by the French Health Minister on Wednesday Sep 23: the reduction in the maximum authorised capacity for major events, from 5,000 to 1,000 people, as well as the now established resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, means that it is no longer possible to guarantee a satisfactory “face-to-face” exhibition, both for the 300 exhibitors and for the 70 official foreign delegations that had already expressed intention to travel to Paris-Le Bourget.
In this context, GICAN and SOGENA have decided to redirect EURONAVAL 2020 towards an entirely digital solution.
With the support of its partners, the 2020 edition of EURONAVAL will be held exclusively online, thanks to the new EURONAVAL-ONLINE platform. Previously reserved for official delegations and exhibitors unable to travel to Paris-Le Bourget, EURONAVAL-ONLINE will now be open to all visitors and exhibitors who wish to use it.
From Oct 19-25, delegations and visitors from all over the world will be able to meet the EURONAVAL 2020 exhibitors at the EURONAVAL-ONLINE digital exhibition.
They will also be able to organise their BtoB meetings by video conference on the EURONAVAL website and follow the themed workshops that will showcase all the expertise of the naval industry.
The cycle of online web-conferences, piloted by France’s main centre of expertise on international security and defence issues, Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) is also being maintained.
Hervé GUILLOU, President of the GICAN, states: “In our sector of activity, nothing beats a physical event and meetings. The EURONAVAL 2020 exhibition was eagerly awaited by exhibitors and our international visitors after several months of interruption of trade fairs around the world. The resumption of business contacts is more important than ever. The GICAN and SOGENA are taking a responsible attitude in light of the resurgence of the pandemic, but are determined to support the activity of manufacturers in France, Europe and around the world, and are offering an innovative solution to all the actors in the sector, to accompany the revival of the naval market. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Ministry of the Armed Forces for its unfailing support throughout the long and perilous preparation of EURONAVAL”.
“I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all our exhibitors, agents, partners and service providers. They have put their trust in us and accompanied us with courage and kindness in the difficult and risky preparation of this exhibition. I would also like to thank the members of the 70 foreign delegations from 46 different countries who had already agreed to take part in EURONAVAL. I share their disappointment at not being able to be present at Paris-Le Bourget. I am delighted to be able to offer the EURONAVAL-ONLINE digital exhibition that will accompany the revival of the naval industry in France and around the world,” adds Hugues d’ARGENTRÉ, Managing Director of SOGENA.
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